Pack Like a Pro! – The Best Camping Equipment to Bring on Your Trip

The sun is finally out after a long winter stuck indoors and that means it is time to head to the woods! People everywhere will be pulling out their camping equipment, tents or trailers, and getting ready to spend some much-needed time in the great outdoors. Of course, it is so important to pack everything you need to have a great experience. Safety items included! Because you are far away from civilization, you must remember to bring the important items that could help you out, or even save your life. Here is your guide on how to pack like a pro and bring along the best camping equipment for your trip!

Water

Are you going to be hiking on your camping trip? Perhaps a few good drinks around the fire is the plan. Whatever you are doing on your camping experience, make it a good one and avoid dehydration. Of all the different camping equipment you bring, water is the most important! Pack lots of water and be sure to drink enough daily to avoid heat stroke or dehydration. These can be very serious and if not tended to can even become critical. Enjoy your trip and purchase plenty of water before heading out!

Animal Avoidance

Living in Canada, it is only expected that our forests and wilderness will be filled with wildlife. Bears, deer, coyotes, moose, mountain lions, etc. Although we take precautions against coming into contact with these animals, it can happen. Take animal protection with you to keep you safe from the wildlife should you come across them. Pack along safety camping equipment such as bear spray, bear bells, a whistle, mosquito repellent, etc. When away from your campsite or sleeping, manage your food so that animals are not attracted to your location. Keep food stored tightly away, bring along garbage bags, don’t eat in your tent, and wash all cooking supplies after use. Pack these important items along and use these animal-prevention strategies to ensure that you and the wildlife get along at a distance.

Bonus: Don’t take selfies with them if they do wander by! Keep your distance.

Sleeping Gear

Of course, when you go camping, you would never forget your sleeping bag! But is it warm enough? Take a moment to assess the weather of the location where you are headed and see what the temperatures will be like. Will it get below 0 in the evenings? Will it be rainy at all? Knowing these facts ahead of time will allow you to prepare to bring the right sleeping bag as well as extra layers. If rain is in the forecast, having extra blankets, wool sleeping clothes, and other warm camping equipment can help to keep out the chills all night. Stay warm on your trip and bring enough sleeping gear to keep you snoozing comfortably all-night long.

First Aid Kit

When we are out in the wilderness, it is common to get a few bumps and bruises along the way. Camping is out in an area you are unfamiliar with and exposes you to nature, not to mention the fires you make in the evening. Bring along a well-stocked first aid kit to be prepared for any type of injury. Scratches, cuts, stings, burns, etc. all should be prepared for. No matter what may happen, make sure that your first aid kit is ready to help.

Don’t have your own first aid kit? First Edition First Aid has an amazing Alberta Health and Safety Regulated First Aid Kit. And don’t forget to add a barrier device incase someone needs CPR and help is a long way away!

AED

As scary as it is to think about, heart emergencies can happen to anyone, anywhere. Going on a camping trip far away from the nearest hospital or police station means that you do not have quick access to an AED. It has been found that every MINUTE a person does not receive attention from an AED, their likelihood of survival decreases by 7-10%. Don’t take that risk and instead bring along an AED.

The Philips FRx AED is perfect for those rough and rugged bumps in your backpack and is durable enough to be ready to use in any location. It is recommend that you keep one permanently in your RV or vehicle. However, if camping is infrequent, why not rent one? First Edition First Aid offers AED rentals to ensure that you and your friends and family stay safe on your camping trip – perfect for a local campground or vigorous hiking in the mountains. Wherever you go, stay prepared and know that you have a life-saving machine with you, just in case!

Note: You could save a neighbours life too! Not everyone will be as prepared as you, so have your AED on hand (with child pads). Never be afraid to step up – you are protected from liability when saving someone’s life! Be a hero!

Contact First Edition at info@firsteditionfirstaid.com to schedule your AED rental!

Emergency Communications

You are back in the bush and have hiked far away from civilization; it is breathtakingly beautiful! However, because you are so far away, you’ll need to pack along a communication device that will notify others of your location. It is especially vital if you are going “off the grid” to have communication devices capable of sending signals in an emergency. These could be:

• long range walkie talkies
• radios
• flare guns
• whistles, etc.

Having these acts as a precaution for emergencies where you could be unable to move or stuck and needed assistance.

Don’t take the chance of forgetting some crucial emergency camping equipment for your trip. Pack like a pro and bring everything you need to stay safe and have an enjoyable trip! When in doubt, bring it along, you never know when safety equipment might be needed!